A group of struggling Durham Region restaurants have come up with a Hail Mary plan to survive the pandemic.

Julie Eves of the Bulldog Pub and Grill in Oshawa has banded together with 16 other eateries, creating the Bulldog Fiesta Passport.

A patron can pick up a passport at any participating restaurant.

Once they get a stamp from each of the participating restaurants for delivery or curbside pickup, they will be able to get a gift package with gift certificates and other goodies.

People who get a passport with all the stamps are entered into a draw for other prizes that include a free meal a month for a year at the Bulldog.

Eves said she wanted to help her pub survive and was looking to help other restaurants.

“Everyone is struggling,” said Eves, who bought the Bulldog in last February before the first COVID-19 lockdown.

She had 500 passports produced in late December and half of those are in use, although no has 16 stamps as of yet.

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content continued

“Everyone has been really excited about it as a way to help out. It is a fun way to help out,” Eves said.

“Now that we are in a second lockdown, I hope more people will support it.”

Durham resident Derek Osborne and his wife have only three more restaurants to go until their passports are full.

“It’s a wonderful program and my wife and I love treasure hunts, so this program is fun,” he said.

“It’s a way to support local businesses and try (cuisine) that we haven’t tried.”

The establishments taking part include the Bulldog Pub and Grill in Oshawa, the Sham Rocks Pub and Grill in Whitby, the Italian Madison Ave. Kitchen in Oshawa, Roselina’s Pizzeria in Newcastle, Go-Go Pizza and Subs in Oshawa, Spicy Affairs in Oshawa, Daal Roti in Pickering, Legend of Fazio’s in Oshawa, Bistro 238 in Courtice, iGreek in Oshawa, Los Cabos Cantina in Whitby, Champs Caribbean Restaurant in Oshawa, Melanie Pringles in Whitby, Yumys Chicken and Seafood in Oshawa and Korean Ice Bar Cafe in Oshawa.